Harrow County: Omnibus Volume 1

Harrow County #1-4

by Cullen Bunn, Tyler Crook (Illustrator), Carla McNeil (Illustrator)

The first half of the highly acclaimed, Eisner-nominated horror fantasy tale, collected in a value-priced omnibus.

Emmy always knew that the woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts and monsters. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she learns that she is connected to these creatures--and to the land itself--in a way she never imagined.

Collects issues 1-16 of Harrow County.

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Gothic

408 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2021

About the author

Cullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.

All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.

And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.

Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another pick by Bre for our RealmofComics book club that did not disappoint! It was gruesome, yet intriguing and fun!

Harrow County isn't a comic that I would have picked up on my own so I'm excited that Bre made the decision to pick this title. While this isn't for the faint of heart, this one definitely explores some pretty interesting elements/conversations like nature versus nurture, friendships, racial tensions, good versus evil, power, arrogance, and more. Some parts of the story aren't told in a linear fashion, but I appreciated that we were given multiple perspectives outside of Emmy. If you do make the decision to pick this one up, make sure that you have the second omni on standby because you're going to want answers. The artwork in this is also stunning and truly fits the horror/gothic vibes of the story. I definitely understand why this was nominated for an Eisner and I'm excited to pick up the next and final omni in the series.

If you're interested in checking out more of my thoughts, be sure to watch our liveshow: https://www.youtube.com/live/uF0pKmG1...

[mark monday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. so spooky, so emotional. and heartwarming! the stories intrigue, the setting is richly developed, the morals of the tales are wise ones. the first arc is particularly compelling, as only a story about a little witch hunted by the people she loves most can be. I love the forgiveness at the end of that story, and demonstrated through later arcs. I loved (both of) her horrible-wonderful familiar-mascot(s), an endearing little skinless (or body-less) fellow. I loved the visuals as much as the story! using watercolors was such a great choice. it's easy to see why this comic was so beloved by audiences and acclaimed by critics. adorable and horrible in nearly-equal measures - adorable wins, by a hair.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrow County, Volume 1
By Cullen Bunn
This is a graphic horror novel that deals with witches, creatures, ghosts, haints, and more. The town killed a witch, but she vowed to return in 18 years. The girl of the story, of course, is turning 18, and it's been 18 years since the witch was killed. The town plans to kill the girl. Even her dad is in on the murder plan. But things don't go as planned.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Harrow County is one of the most enjoyable comics I've ever read. Its character-focused storytelling and intriguing mix of horror and fantasy never cease to entertain.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.

Imagine growing up with a stigma, being born right into a hostile environment, unable to demonstrate to the judgmental world around you that you are indeed different from what people expect from you. While your words don’t mean much to others, you can only hope that your actions can speak for themselves, can prove your intent, can reassure everyone around you that you’re not who they think you are. For one young woman, it is on one fateful night that she must come to terms with her stigma and look straight into the eyes of destiny. Time might be of the essence but it’s time for her to decide what she wants to do next. After all, if you are to be hunted out of fear, why not use fear to reestablish peace. But how long can that last? Collecting the first half of the Eisner-nominated Dark Horse horror series (issues #1-16), the story presents a young lady’s journey of self-discovery as her county’s darkest horrors crawled to her feet and beg her for answers.

What is Harrow County Omnibus (Vol. 1) about? On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Emmy Crawford learns the truth behind who she is. Ever since she was little, she always felt like Harrow County had something to hide from her, something that hid in the darkness and only dared peek when everyone else was asleep. Whether it was ghosts or monsters was beyond her knowledge but things were about to change when she learned about her ties to a witch that was once hanged by the very people that she hung around with. Unfortunately for her, the folks she once always smiled to couldn’t let Emmy go on living happily ever after. A sacrifice needed to be made. The cycle needed to be repeated. It was up to Emmy to decide her fate now. Fight or flee?

This turned out to be a finely-paced young adult horror story that brilliantly captures Emmy’s dreadful journey towards finding a place in the world, especially in Harrow County, upon learning the truth behind who she truly is. Writer Cullen Bunn also rapidly establishes the story’s tone with the first couple of issues, right up to the grand reveal, and then aptly incorporates ghastly horror creatures into the narrative to allow the protagonist and the character’s from her entourage to discover, confront, and understand their raison d’être. From skinless children to goblins, the disturbing creatures of this county are numerous and they all bring their own fair share of enthralling creepiness. Several story arcs can also be noted, often constructed with the purpose to better grasp Emmy’s struggle to be perceived as someone good, while also brilliantly exploring her loneliness through confrontations with her friends and family.

Ignoring the anomalous artistic contribution by Carla Speed McNeil for issue #9 and Hannah Lavender for issue #12 that kills the visual consistency, artist Tyler Crook’s artwork is spellbinding. His watercolour is charmingly hypnotizing and conveys this world with authenticity and emotion. While the characters effortlessly showcase genuine fear, the creatures capture it through their ingenious design. Add in the splendid Southern setting that clearly hides secrets ready to be unearthed and you got yourself a fascinating world where the folkloric possibilities seem endless. Thankfully the story is solid and holds itself straight without much effort but the artwork alone could save this tale too. In fact, one could argue that it almost promises a full reading experience in itself with how much it conveys.

Harrow County Omnibus (Vol. 1) is an enthralling young adult horror tale exploring Emmy’s battle for a place in a world that does not welcome her.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

[h o l l i s · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike my last horror graphic novel attempt, this worked much better. Not only does it have an an appealing art style, is it a more interesting story, and I enjoy how the story progresses in each issue and how Emmy has become more than her origins, without being sweet as pie and harmless as a result -- though my one complaint is the total change in art style for one of the sections in this bind up. I couldn't stand looking at it and I skimmed the story as a result.

Looking forward to continuing this one!

[Jim Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrow County, 1930s. When Emmy turns eighteen she finds out the truth about her past and how she is connected to the creatures and ghosts of the forest known as haints. It’s a story of old magic and backwoods horror in a southern rural setting.

I love Cullen Bunn’s mix of dark fantasy and horror as well his character based storytelling. I love Tyler Crook’s figure work, facial expressions, and creature designs. The watercolor artwork is gorgeous. I love how the Harrow County title is incorporated in the opening splash pages of every chapter, sometimes hidden in clever ways.

This edition collects issues 1-16, the first half of the run. As it’s a value priced omnibus it doesn’t include any of the extras like Tales from Harrow County from the comics or the sketches from the trade paperbacks. Those extras are included in the library editions.

[James Pollard]

The writing just goes and I love it. A brief origin and right into the weird and horrific. Confident enough to know the story beats are badass so they just go with them. Art and words go perfectly together.

[Richard Daigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down my favourite comic I’ve read all year. I love horror movies but usually horror books/comics just don’t do it for me. This one though, is fucked. Highly recommend. Also, oddly a cute story lol can’t wait to start reading part 2

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

harrow county slaps so hard; i love historical rural horror so much

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to a cursed land, where grotesque nightmares are often seen in the light of day, where darkness is not always evil, just misunderstood, sometimes. A place where a boy without flesh can be your best friend, and where a good looking city person with great wealth might be up to no good. The story is littered with gore, queasy flesh scenes, pastoral landscapes, it's a mixed up turned up sort of world, and no one knows it better than the folks in Harrow County.

Looking forward to finishing the second half of the series. It has, in earnest, been a nice place to go before sleep.

[Kateryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Захопливо моторошні історії (деякі за духом нагадують "Сендмена" Ґеймана), ідеально переданий жах перед відьмами та його причини. Чудові, й попри жахливість сюжету, дуже милі малюнки.

[Alex Jiménez · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a fascinating and intricate little story

[Brittany Allyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rural horror at its finest.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great artwork and a fun, creepy story! I’m ready for the next batch.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of Cullen Bunn's seminal Dark Horse horror series, Harrow County, is collected here.

Countless Haints, the first four issues, introduces our main character Emmy, the descendent of Hester Beck. As her world falls apart around her and everyone she knew about her life turns upside down, she flees into the woods of Harrow County where her destiny awaits her. What I really enjoyed here was how quickly Emmy decides that, actually, she's not going to be what everyone wants her to be. This is a plot that Bunn could have dragged out the entire run of the series, but no, Emmy doesn't want that. She knows who she is and who she's not, and that informs everything going forward by infusing her decisions with a surety that I didn't expect to get so early on in the game.

The second arc is Twice Told, which revists the idea that Emmy had a twin sister. When Kammi arrives in Harrow County, Emmy thinks she might have a kindred spirit, but instead almost loses everything she's fought so hard to earn for herself. There are some more surprising turns of events here, not least of which is the idea that Emmy is never totally fooled by Kammi; she's happy to see her, but she never entirely lets her guard down even when it appears she might have at first glance. This arc also goes a long way towards showing what kind of witch Emmy wants to be - she made those promises in the first arc, but they really come true here, and her sincerity and genuine care for the haints (and people) of Harrow County is nice to see.

Next up is Snake Doctor, which is actually a pair of one and dones sandwiching a two issue story about Emmy's friend Bernice. The opening story features the origin of the skinless boy that assist Emmy, while the closing issue looks like it's going to be fairly inconsequential until the final panel gut punch. This definitely feels like a transitory 'look what's coming next' arc rather than moving the overall story forward. The two guest artists for the one and dones are pretty good too, I especially liked the ethereal air that issue #12's artist, Carla Speed McNeil, gave the production.

And finally, Family Tree expands Emmy's world even more than it already has been by introducing a group of potential allies/antagonists that shed some light on her origins. The growing dread throughout this arc as you begin to realise that the good guys may not be as good as they seem, coupled with the creeping suspicion that Emmy and Bernice are going to come to blows before the series finishes, make this a very tense affair, and it definitely leaves you with more questions to go with the few answers we're given.

Tyler Crook's artwork sells this series almost as much as Bunn's writing. There's a simplicity to it without sacrificing clarity or details where necessary, and the colour choices make Harrow County the place really come to life. He makes the horror elements pop, while making sure that the more human points are just as well done. I also really enjoyed the inventive ways he weaved the Harrow County logo into the opening of each issue - one of my favourites was the light pouring through the trees in issue 7 or so.

Harrow County manages to be a horror book without letting the blood and gore overtake it. There's a lot of good character work for Emmy, leading the story in some unexpected directions, and while there are a good few suspenseful moments, it's never drop-the-book-and-run scary, which is the perfect sweet spot for a chicken shit like me. I can only hope the second half is just as good, if not better.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic story of magic, the dark, and haints.

Harrow County got me hooked from the very first issue. I really like the art style (even when it changes in two of the issues), and the intrigue of witches and dark magic set in the 1830s. Emmy is a delight and the background with Hester is enthralling.

It touches on a lot of different themes of horror--the witch hunt, betrayal, things that live in the dark, the supernatural. But the characters are so interesting and real that I cared each time something bad started to appear.

Emmy's familiar, Bernice, Lady Lovely, the Family, even some of the haints--no character is without depth. Bunn did a great job with the story and Crook is a fantastic artist. Both of them capture the horror of this setting so well, and I can't wait to read the second volume!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is some of my favorite kind of horror. Its very creepy and very disturbing but also sweet and endearing at the same time. A girl who's best friend [familiar] is the skin (just the skin) of a boy, his...insides...her fierce protector. An evil witch reborn as a kind and caring young girl struggling to understand herself, her powers, and her place in the world. Monsters and demons who are mostly just misunderstood. Harrow County is a strange place with strange inhabitants, but all of them (those alive and dead and those in-between) have a lot of charm.

[Zack! Empire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning artwork in this book. I'll probably be going back through it just to look over all the beautiful water color again. It is a mix of Horror and Fantasy, with much of the horror seeming to come from a body horror. I really dug the story. I wish there was a bit more on how magic works in the comic because it seems to be the kind of magic that just does whatever the story needs it to. Still, looking forward to volume 2.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/4 star - the illustrations don't particularly stand out to me aside from a few panels/pages, and the characters are not very well fleshed out or developed, but overall everything works together. I enjoy what the discussions are here about family, belonging, and what it means to be human. Harrow County does subvert a few tropes I had expected to pan out as usual, so props for that, and I like the story and how it's been progressing. I'd pick up the next omnibus volume, so slay.

[Alex Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my first graphic novels that i decided to read and damm it was so cool!!! At the beginning i wasn't really motivated to read i confess, but then the plot started to get really interesting and i saw myself reading the last pages of the book.. I can't wait to buy and read the second book, great horror aspect and amazing artstyle too

[Fernando · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quizá no sea absolutamente original pero me ha encantado, por el momento y a falta de completar el segundo, su planteamiento fresco en un pueblo indeterminado de la América rural y profunda de la prohibición, donde se fusionan terror, magia, leyendas y cuentos de hadas. Tiene un toque de Sandman, un poco de Potter, cierto espíritu de Salinger e incluso de Mark Twain. El tema vertebral es la propia identidad frente a la herencia y saber elegir nuestro propio camino. Conjuga la ternura emotiva con la espeluznancia fantástica de manera muy elegante y afable. Me ha entretenido mucho y ahora es lo mínimo y máximo que pido, todo lo demás más allá, bienvenido sea. Recomiendo la edición original porque, económicamente, no tiene rival. Tapa blanda, bien editado, robusto.

[Linnéa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited sooo long for the omnibuses to come out!
I started reading the series when it was already partially out of print so I've had to make do with the first 3 volumes for years now.
I can't believe I finally get to read the rest, and during the spooky season as well 😍

[Kaitlyn (ktxx22) Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is scary and something I’ll definitely be recommending to people in need of the creepy factor!

[Metaplaysttv · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is amazing the story is fantastic if you love horror and love good art this is the novel for you !

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting, and unique story. I'm on the fence about whether or not I will continue with the series, but it was a good read and had some great illustrations.

[Waldkauzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely lovely tale of the journey of a girl growing up in a horror setting, interwoven with dealing with the - sometimes misguided - expectations of others and finding one's self despite and because of it.
One thing I really liked - and what I have otherwise only seen in Mushishi 1 - is the aspect of approaching monstrous creatures with kindness and respect, and not just with fear. The book still has, of course, its fair share of gore and terror, fitting the genre.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this feels like having a delicious slice of chocolate cake that turns into a saltine cracker in your mouth. There are plenty of cool set pieces, character concepts, and designs, but the narrative is bland and formulaic. There’s a new scary problem and people could die, Emmy flounders for a bit, but with the wave of her hand everything falls back to the status quo. I never felt the supposed weight of any of the tense moments because Emmy’s powers are just so all-consuming.

More importantly, the story never develops its characters or their motivations in a meaningful way. I don’t understand Emmy’s attachment and protectiveness towards the townspeople when so many wanted kill her, for one, and I’m just supposed to accept that as a crucial part of her character. She’s a good witch and wants to help people, sure, but doesn’t she feel even a little betrayed, a little skeptical?

What am I supposed to make of Emmy’s Pa raising her for 18 years knowing she’s a witch, only for him to try to kill her at the first push of peer pressure? And not only that, but his immediate turn-heel and apology, and her complete forgiveness after? If some of the townspeople were so determined to kill her, why didn’t they try earlier? Why do they stop at the drop of a hat? Especially when they saw her incinerate several of them right in front of them!

Nothing from the first arc is ultimately of any consequence, as goes for the second arc, and so on. The story just piles on more and more characters and creatures and hopes something sticks. Reading the omnibus with each arc right after the other only highlighted that fact for me. I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.

[Chris Peckover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eek, not for me. To be fair, I stopped after the first 100 pages. I can’t tell if it’s the characters or maybe the exposition, but this felt like it was meant for tweens. Very simplistic and young. Like Saturday morning cartoon character complexity, everyone reacting unremarkably and predictably.

[Cédric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and can’t wait for the second omnibus !